I took them apart, scraped out all the old gunk and rebuilt them with brand new elastomers. Took all last night and half of Saturday. Yes, they were that bad. But I bought this bike for a fraction of the value.
Shocks apart with elastomers installed on the posts.
Hi! I don't suppose you happen to know where to find seals for a Votec GS4 front shock? I've restored an FS Evolution bike and the only remaining job is the front shock. I've found elastomers, but I can't find the seals.
ReplyDeletePS - good job on the restore!
Hey there! Sorry for the delay. I don't get many comments! What do the GS4 seals look like? If I can see one, I could check my sources.
DeleteThanks for the reply. After a few months of trying I finally found a service kit on German ebay classified. Thanks for the offer of help.
ReplyDeleteCould I post photos of your bike on this website?
ReplyDeleteSure, if you like!
ReplyDeleteIt was advertised as being in good condition but with some issues to the clear coat. I bought it and organised a courier.
http://yellowdieselgolf.com/data/images/bike/newbike.jpg
When I received it, it wasn't rideable. The brakes were dragging, the shocks leaked and the bike kept jumping out of gear. I've replaced a lot of parts and stripped and repainted the frame.
http://yellowdieselgolf.com/data/images/bike/readytoride.JPG
I just need to service the front shock and it'll be good to go :)
Hopefully the parts from Germany will be suitable.
Peter, have you tried these guys?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.suspensionforkparts.net/eshop/
Hi Jim,
ReplyDeleteHow do you separate the top section from the top section of the fork? Just pull them straight out? Or is there a lock ring or sort?
In your top photo here, what are those steel tubes on the far left? Where do they go in the assembly?
I am about to buy the Kit and restore my fort on my Porsche FS bike.
Thanks.
Dennis
Hey Dennis! It's not ultra tricky, but there is a certain order to get the fork apart. Not sure I can describe it well here and I can't attach a diagram in these comments either. I'm available to call tomorrow if you like. I'm in the pacific time zone. I also have a PDF of the manual if you're interested. It's technically for the Bike S, but some of the parts are the same or similar. Email me at jimhemig@gmail.com and I'll send you the manual and my phone number.
ReplyDeleteDennis, I can answer one question though, sorry I didn't read your comment very well! The rods on the left extend the fork innards to the bottom of the fork frame. The thin metal post that holds all the elastomers fits inside the top of the black tubes. That think metal post with the elastomers connects to those metal rods on the left of the photo to extend to the bottom of the fork frame, where a small bolt fastens it to the fork frame. Again, feel free to email me and I can explain better over the phone.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Jim. Just emailed you. I look forward to talking to you!
ReplyDeleteI just emailed the Porsche bike manual. Let me know if you don't get it!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBlogger Kristine McMurray said...
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for presenting such an interesting and resourceful site. I have a Bike S and am equally a huge Porsche fan.
I would be grateful if you could send me a copy of the Bike Manual PDF. My elastomers have arrived from Suspension Fork Parts and I'm good to go on the re-build. the reference manual will be very helpful.
Kind Regards, (email: martin@grandmarke.com)
February 24, 2018 at 4:48 PM
Hey Kristine, thanks for the comments. I’ll email you the factory manual PDF shortly.
ReplyDeleteHello, I'm undertaking the same project, and would really appreciate a copy of the manual. I have "disintegrated elastomers" also, at least the top set, but I can't figure out how to get to the bottom set. My email address is greglcroth@gmail.com Many thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteIf it is helpful to anyone, I found this website that appears to sell the original elastomer kit, but other website say that other elastomers may be compatable, if you can find the correct size.
https://www.suspensionforkparts.net/eshop/index.php?seo_path=votec
I'll email the manual now. If you have trouble with the lower set, let me know ... I can likely help via email.
ReplyDeleteWhere are you located? I get people from all of the world responding to this blog. I always like to know where people are from!?!
And yes, suspensionforkparts is the best and only place I've found to sell/ship the elastomers.
i too have the bike s that i brought over from the UK, i now live in Florida. My front forks also collapsed and have been in a bike repair shop for 6 months. They found the kit but have now given up as they can not make it work. Any manual would be a great help plus advise.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Jon
Hi Jon, I will gladly send you the factory Bike S manual. Send me your email address and I'll email you the manual. Also, email me a photo of the top of the handlebar/shock area and I can suggest installation tips for that elastomer set up.
ReplyDeletegreat my email is thepoolstars@yahoo.com i will have to pick up my bike, they wanted to put another set of forks on the bike but i was not to happy with that. Not sure how many pieces its in. Thanks for your help
DeleteYour fork is definitely fixable. I’ve refurbished two and helped another guy over the phone. So I know it’s doable. I’ll send you the manual shortly.
ReplyDeleteHi there, I just bought the FS bike and am having front fork issues (almost no movement. Could you please send me the manual as well? sensei@revelationmartialarts.com
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Hi My front shocks collapsed this morning so I would also love to get the manual as I will have to do this rebuild. I'm in SoCal Thanks in anticipation peterd54@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing about your experience and expertise. I am so excited I found this. I was debating what to do with my Bike S. It's been in the garage since 2004, because of the front shock issue. I am now inspired to get it rebuilt. Can you please send me the owners manual. Also any connections in South Florida - Boca Area that could do this restoration?
ReplyDeleteHi David, send me an email at jimh@pca.org and I’ll email you the manual and some info.
DeleteHi, I'm Norio from Japan. I'm enjoying your posts related to refurbishing Bike S fork since I have been a owner of Bike S w/ GS97 fork since 2001 and my bike's fork has been in collapsed condition for several years.
DeleteYour posts encouraged me to restore my bike so I asked a bike shop to restore the fork last week.
They could remove suspension component inside fork. However, they are now struggling to separate lower fork(dropouts) from upper. They couldn't pull out the dropouts from upper fork. They assumed that something was happening between upper and lower fork, such as cracking or rust.
Another possibility is that they might follow wrong disassembly steps.
Is it possible to take lower and upper fork apart?
I would be greatly appreciated if you could give me a support.
I really doubt anything is wrong with the internal components. I would bet the old elastomers are just collapsed or broken and have made it difficult to separate. The old elastomers can turn into compacted material almost like dirt. They just have to dig out the gunk and then separate out the washers and spring. Once they’ve cleaned up everything they can put the new elastomers back in following my instructions.
DeleteGood luck, and if I can help further let me know.
DeleteThank you for quick reply and your great insight! that old elastomers remaining inside fork might prevent from separating forks.
DeleteI will suggest the shop more cleaning up inside tube.
For manual book for Bike S, I have user manual for Bike S which is quite helpful for us to understand internal structure of the front fork. But for disassembly, more information looks necessary for us.
Your previous comment in this post seems that you would have a 'factory manual' for Bike S. Could you be so kind to share the 'factory manual' with me?
Thank you for your help.
Norio.
Email me at jimh@pca.org and I’ll send you the manuals.
DeleteYour insight was correct. a lot of debris came out of my fork after couple of cleans. then I could pull off lower part of the fork. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. I was always checking this blog, and I’m impressed! Extremely useful info specially the last part, I care for such information a lot. I was exploring this particular info for a long time. Thanks to this blog my exploration has ended. best spin bike seats
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. bike accessories shop singapore
ReplyDeleteI like what you guys are doing. Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys. I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site. TSA site
ReplyDeleteExcellent and very exciting site. Love to watch. Keep Rocking. mustang customization in sydney
ReplyDeleteLooking to get my hands on that manual if you can provide. Thanks in advance. info.beardedbikedoc@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteDoes the Porsche Evo fs use the same shocks as the s?
ReplyDeleteMy Evo fs shocks are collapsed. Any info on restoration would be appreciated. Thanks
ReplyDeletehey Jim, my Dad and I are attempting a rebuild on these forks for his bike and have used your site and information as a starting point. Would you be able to share the manual .pdf for us, hopefully will be able to complete and get some rides in this spring. thanks!
ReplyDelete